Advice: Erase and Install

I initially did an Archive and Install for Tiger; however, I wish I had done an Erase and Install and start off with a clean slate because there were a lot of 3rd party programs I had when running Panther that really slowed down my computer (like Limewire, which I don't use anymore).

The only things that I would like to keep with the Erase and Install are my itunes music library, my iphoto library, and my safari bookmarks. I have a 15GB 3G ipod (such a blast from the past nowadays) and I was wondering if I would be able to use that hard drive to transfer both my library and my bookmarks.

Granted I'm not sure if there will be enough space, is it possible? If not, what cheaper options than buying an external HD do I have?

Staff Member

I did an Erase of my ipod, then did a restore of the Tiger DVD on to my ipod. After the restore, I created a folder in the ipod that contained my files that I intended on keeping.

Depending on your Library size, and the size of your Music collection this may be an option. It may be best to create a compressed Disk image containing both your Audio and photo data and copy that DMG onto your ipod.

Bookmarks can be copied yes. In Safari open your Bookmarks "Bookmarks" -> "Show All Bookmarks" then click "File" -> "Export Bookmarks". Save them to your Desktop, and or your ipod that you are going to use to create your new system with.

You can do all this. Bookmarks can be transferred. There is a bookmarks.plist file or something similar in ~/library/applcationsupport/safari (I think). If not, seach for .plist and the one with bookmark written in it is the one you want.
EDIT: I haven't refreshed these threads that are open in tabs... Do what the guy above me suggested with exporting bookmarks

If all of this won't fit on your iPod, use disk utility to put it all in a .dmg file. If it still won't fit, compress that .dmg file as a .sit file with stuffit expander or similar.

Bookmarks can be copied yes. In Safari open your Bookmarks "Bookmarks" -> "Show All Bookmarks" then click "File" -> "Export Bookmarks". Save them to your Desktop, and or your ipod that you are going to use to create your new system with.

Click to expand...

You can do this anytime, you don't need to click on your Bookmarks first.

So it sounds like a .dmg file is the way to go. Not to sound dumb, but how do I do I convert my music and photos to a .dmg file and then transfer them to my ipod?

Click to expand...

-First have all the files in a folder or something to see how big they end up.
-Open Disk Utility (MacHD/Applications/utilities/diskutility)
-With no drives selected at the side, click the 'new image button'.
-Select your options. Format should be mac os x extended (journaled) and you don't need and AES-128 encription. Name the drive something as well.
-When the image is on your desktop, double click it to mount it, and drag all your files in. Unmount it (ctrl click ->eject).
-Put the .dmg onto your ipod.EDIT: I got beaten to it. Between the both of us we ave probably confused you heaps though

Staff Member

-First have all the files in a folder or something to see how big they end up.
-Open Disk Utility (MacHD/Applications/utilities/diskutility)
-With no drives selected at the side, click the 'new image button'.
-Select your options. Format should be mac os x extended (journaled) and you don't need and AES-128 encription. Name the drive something as well.
-When the image is on your desktop, double click it to mount it, and drag all your files in. Unmount it (ctrl click ->eject).
-Put the .dmg onto your ipod.EDIT: I got beaten to it. Between the both of us we ave probably confused you heaps though

Click to expand...

Your way works also, however you can create a new disk image from a folder, as opposed to creating a new image first, then copying the files inside it. Not only can you get a smaller DMG by creating it from a folder, it also saves you a few steps

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